When I played soccer in high school, I spent a lot of money on fancy body wash products (and fancy personal care products in general). I bought into all the claims that these products would make my skin softer or tighter, smell great, help with acne, etc. I even had several different body washes I mixed and matched to get the scent and effect I wanted (chemical cocktail, anyone?).
I don’t use most conventional products anymore and usually default to using bar soap. When I want the skin-softening, great smelling benefits of natural body wash, I make my own. This DIY natural body wash recipe contains ingredients that provide added benefits to your skin without harsh chemicals.
Why Use Natural Body Wash?
There are lots of benefits of using a natural homemade body wash.
First, this body wash recipe is super simple and will only take minutes to put together if you have the ingredients. If you don’t have a specific ingredient, you can use substitutions. You could even get your kids involved in making this with you.
This recipe is versatile. There are many great combinations for you to choose from using your favorite essential oils. It’s fun to match your skincare product scents with the seasons, a holiday, or even your current mood. Plus, you can make different variations for everyone in your family if you want.
Although you might need to buy ingredients the first time you make this DIY body wash recipe, you will get lots of batches of body wash out of these ingredients. This will save you money in the long run. If you want to give a homemade gift to your friend or family member, this body is a great choice; and you will save money on gifts too!
Unlike store-bought skincare products, homemade body wash doesn’t contain chemicals or artificial fragrances. With this recipe, you can whip up a natural preservative-free, hydrating body wash in minutes! Using these natural ingredients for your body wash will still give you a great lather, so you won’t be missing out on any of the suds you get from store-bought body washes.
DIY Body Wash Ingredients
This natural body wash combines several of my favorite natural skincare ingredients. Each one offers unique benefits to your skin.
Raw Honey
I’ve posted before about how honey is a great skincare ingredient on its own. Did you know honey is also excellent for wound healing (and even used in hospitals)? In this recipe, honey helps soften your skin and is naturally soothing & antibacterial. When possible, I use local, raw honey. If I can’t find any honey locally, I use organic raw honey (like this one).
Natural Oils
Natural oils are great cleansers for our skin. I use the oil cleansing method to wash my face each day, and my skin has never looked better. This recipe uses natural oils to accomplish some of the same benefits as oil cleansing for the whole body. And using natural oils in your body wash will help hydrate dry skin. Natural oils also work as carrier oils for the essential oils included in this moisturizing body wash.
I use a mixture of castor oil and olive oil, but you can use whatever oils you might have on hand, such as jojoba oil or sweet almond oil. Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and would also be a good choice. If you want to use coconut oil, you could try fractionated coconut oil. It would work nicely since it stays in a liquid form. Regular coconut oil hardens when it gets cold, so it might not work well with this recipe.
Liquid Castile Soap
This gives the body wash the cleansing ability. I use Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild, which is unscented so that I can customize the scent with essential oils, but any scent of organic liquid castile soap will work. Keep the scent of your castile soap in mind when selecting your essential oils to make sure the smells blend well together. This ingredient gives your homemade body wash great suds!
Essential Oils
Essential oils are a great way to customize it. There are so many combinations of scents you could use! You could even change up the oils you use seasonally or based on the holidays. I buy organic essential oils in bulk for recipes like this and other homemade care products.
Some of my favorites are lavender and chamomile essential oils for a calming body wash, peppermint essential oil for an invigorating body wash, and ylang-ylang and lavender essential oils for a stress-relieving blend. Keep in mind that if you have sensitive skin, you might want to stay away from certain essential oils.
Pump Bottle
Since essential oils don’t store well in plastic containers, it’s best to keep your homemade body wash in a glass container. If you use one with a pump, you can put it on a shelf in your shower so that your body wash is always easily accessible. I like to use a pump bottle that also foams my body wash, so I get extra suds, but you can use any soap dispenser. Another option is to use a mason jar and a dispenser lid. If you aren’t a fan of using glass in the shower, there are some excellent silicone and stainless steel options available too.
Notes: I use a natural sea sponge (like this one) with this body wash, and it foams up really well. If you don’t have a sea sponge, a washcloth will work well too!
Shelf life: Since all ingredients in this recipe are shelf-stable, it seems to last a long time, though I still make it in small batches so I can customize the scent to my ever-changing favorites.
Moisturizing Natural Body Wash
Ingredients
- 3 TBSP castile soap (liquid castile soap works best)
- 3 TBSP raw honey
- 2 TBSP oil (I used 1 TBSP each of castor oil and olive oil)
- 10 drops essential oil of choice (or more for your preferences)
Instructions
- Carefully mix all ingredients by hand with a spoon in a glass liquid measuring cup. Do not use a blender, whisk or hand mixer as this will create bubbles and make it impossible to get into a container.
- Pour into a (preferably glass) container and use in the shower as a body wash. I use this homemade body wash with a natural sea sponge for easy use.
Notes
Other Uses for DIY Body Wash
This body wash is so versatile! If you need to shave, it works great as a shaving product. You can also use this homemade body wash as a face wash or hand soap. If you are traveling, take a small silicone container with you, so you don’t have to pack as many toiletries since it covers several bases.
Need a gift for someone who loves all things natural living? This body wash is a great homemade gift to give to someone special. You can customize the scent to their personality too. Wrap it up with a natural sea sponge, and you have a thoughtful, customized gift! You can also gift this to someone who usually buys store-bought shower gel and show them how amazing homemade body wash can be!
What do you use for moisturizing body wash? Or are you a bar soap type of person? Weigh in below!
Thank you for constantly helpful information – just as an FYI for readers (and yourself), do make sure whatever sponge you use in your shower/bath have a chance to dry out between uses, especially the natural sponges. The micro abrasions they can make on skin are open areas for bacteria to enter and if they sponges aren’t drying out all the way they are a perfect breeding ground. Nobody wants that!
The sea sponge can actually cut your skin?
How much do you use at a time?
Hi, i really want to try this recipe but am afraid that the castor oil will make hair grow all over my body. I use castor oil in my hair oil recipes for hair growth. Has anyone experienced this? What are other astringent oils I can use instead of castor and hazelnut oil?
Shanicqua, did you get an answer? I also would not want extra hair growth on my body! The olive oil looks amazing, but Kaite mixes that with the castor oil, she did mention alternatives to the olive oil, however not the castor oil. I am also curious!
sounds like I would love this.
What type of glass container do you use?
Does the glass container get slippery in the shower?
I went to an antique store and found a thin, amber colored bottle (it just happen to be an old whiskey bottle). I believe it holds about 2 cups of liquid and so i made double the recipe with a little room at the top left over. Our shower is a standard apartment shower with very shallow shelving and this fits just perfect!
I just use a quart mason jar and I went to Michael’s Art Supply store and bought a mason jar pump lid. I don’t even have to pick up the jar (except to shake it when the ingredients separate). The only problem is once the soap gets low to the bottom of the jar the pump will no longer reach it, at which point I pour the rest of that soap into a smaller hand soap dispenser and just use it for hand soap and make a new batch for the shower.
Recipe sounds great! Was just curious as to how much this yields? 4oz or 8oz?? Thanks!!
It should be four (might be a tad out as I had to convert mL to oz)
Mine yielded closer to 8
oh that sounds delightful! I use just the dr bronner’s in a foaming pump. I’d love to try this with the honey and oil. Do you think it would work in a foaming pump? I might need to shake it a bit before pumping…
This looks awesome! Why do you prefer glass? I worry about it falling in the shower and breaking.
Plastic can leach chemicals out of the bottle into the wash.
I purchased PBA free plastic squeeze bottles… Would that make a difference? I’m absolutely in love with this recipe! It’s delicious! I have very dry skin (menopause) and add extra oil and I’ve never been softer! EVER! I’m also allergic to sulfates and sensitive to ‘fragrance’, so it’s been a lifesaver! My husband has a skin disease and the antimicrobial, antibacterial, antibiotic benefits of this have been a life saver! THANK YOUUUUUU!!!!!
You should be fine Nikki. Because the essential oils are “diluted” by the other ingredients, it does not have quite the same effect on the plastic bottles as straight essential oils would. Of course, over time, they will need to be replaced, but you should be fine for quite a while. 🙂
Katie
Thank you so much! I have been waiting for a recipe like this! Question, can I use coconut oil and olive oil? I do not have caster. Thank you so much!!
Between the 2 options I would choose olive. Coconut might get too solid if it gets cold and mess up the consistency. I have not tried it with olive oil, but be aware that olive oil is very nourishing and may over-moistureize your skin. Let us know how it goes!
Hi Katie!
I did make it with coconut and olive oil and it works great!! Also, I bought the sponge that you posted in your link above and I love it! It is so soft! I was wondering though, how long do your sponges last before you have to replace them?
Can I use sweet almond oil?would that work?thank you
You stated the benefits of the olive oil in the beginning of the article. You stated that you mixed Castor and Olive oils:
“I use a mixture of castor oil and olive oil, but you can use whatever oils you might have on hand, such as jojoba oil or sweet almond oil. Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and would also be a good choice. If you want to use coconut oil, you could try fractionated coconut oil. It would work nicely since it stays in a liquid form. Regular coconut oil hardens when it gets cold, so it might not work well with this recipe.”
Please explain exactly what you use, this is confusing!
Katie uses castor oil and olive oil together (so 1 Tbsp of each oil). She gives other options though in case you don’t have those ones on hand and want to use another oil, like fractionated coconut oil or sweet almond oil.
Okay, I just made a similar recipe, but had to use bar castile grated and add water to make the liquid castile. I only had coconut available so I used that oil and it does float to the top even if it’s mixed with a spoon. I’m going to mix it a bit more as it cools with hope it will incorporate a bit more. I would assume you just give it a good shake before use or add it to a bath. I still put in honey, vitamin E, and pure vanilla for scent all into a quart mason jar. The bars have been so drying on my family’s skin. Oh, I did used refined coconut oil because I was worried about the shelf life of the unrefined. Would have been lovely to have more of the coconut smell with the vanilla, but maybe I’ll try it the next time around!
What are some plastic bottles you recommend? I have little kids and worry about glass jars in the shower. Thank you
If i can just point out that soap washes away oils, and by adding oil to a soap recipe you are effectively killing its ability to clean as its cleaning itself. Unless you are making soap with Lye and creating the chemical reaction. Then, the oils turn into soap. But adding oil to soap already made is making … nothing. Soap that doesnt work.
I haven’t had this experience at all. I have teenage acne prone skin and I use liquid african black soap with grapeseed oil mixed in to wash my face. If my face was not getting clean, I would be breaking out like crazy, but the soap is washing off all of my makeup and clearing up my acne. In other words, the added oil does not render the soap ineffective.
Untrue. It absolutely will work, as mentioned by Nicole. Soap isn’t the only thing that washes away oil, either. The oil cleansing method does a phenomenal job of dissolving excess oils on the face and elsewhere. As well, there is no shortage of commercially available “moisturizing soaps” that have extra oils in them, including bar soap that has been superfatted, meaning extra oil has been added *after* the lye & oil’s chemical process. If you’re going to be critical, you might at least know what you’re talking about first.
I actually love using body wash/scrub with oil in it, it cleanses my skin and doesn’t leave it dry after the shower. I find I don’t have to use as much lotion -even in the winter- when I use this type of wash.
I love this recipe, I’ve modified it, eliminating the honey so I can use it all over my body. I use one part Dr. Bronners (unscented), one part almond oil, one part olive oil, 15-30 drops of essential oil/extract (I love sandlewood and vanilla) to 3 parts of distilled water. It foams up wonderfully and a few pumps clean my whole person. My husband is even using it for shaving. Following it up with your lotion recipe, my skin has never looked (or, felt) better! I have an autoimmune disorder which causes allergic reactions to an ever changing list of topical ingredients — even the most hypoallergenic products cause me to break out in painful hives (especially around my eyes.) Katie, since using your recipes I haven’t had a SINGLE breakout. I don’t know how to thank you!!
All the best,
Kate
Dear Kate,
my daughter is 7 and has been going through a long list of medical tests to determine what is going on. They are thinking an autoimmune disorder and her symptoms, at least some of them sound very similar to yours. Does your autoimmune issue have an official name? Have you sworn off all store-bought products for your skin or were there brands you found to work well for you without causing a reaction? I’m just starting to go more natural in our skincare, after consciously cleaning up our food over the past year. Anyway, making my own seems overwhelming but I may need to for my daughter.
Sincerely,
Amanda
I was diagnosed with chronic idiopathic urticaria about 8 years ago. Chronic because even after 8 years I still get it, idiopathic because they couldn’t find an actual cause after numerous blood tests. For years I’ve had to take Allegra daily to make it go away and stay away, even if I missed one day I would break out in painful welt-like hives in random places. Since I’ve started to make my own bath products it has gotten significantly better, to where I could go a few days without taking the medicine but still had to about once a week, and now that I’ve been using my own products for over a year it has helped DRAMATICALLY. I still break out sometimes but its a rare occurrence now and I only take the allergy medicine about once a month if that. I’d say its worth a shot to try with your daughter, but just know that you probably won’t see immediate results. Once you get the hang of making your own body soap it really becomes much easier and only takes a few minutes of your time every couple of weeks.
Honey can’t be used on your whole body?
What do you use for hair washing? I have breakouts on my scalp, no MD, Derm, hairdresser has any ideas! I’ve tried many different organic, unscented hair products. I do have curly hair and need a gel to tame frizz, but that also has been from various organic companies. It is random, they breakouts come and go…wonder what I could make that would be better for my scalp?
I’ve tried this recipe twice now and either Bob’s right or I’m doing something wrong as both times I’ve just ended up with an oily liquid (smells nice) with zero soap! Help!
Soap doesnt have to be foamy to be effective. Some people even wash their hair with baking soda alone and then do a vinegar rinse to soften. (doesnt work for all hair types) if you feel that your skin is getting clean and is moisturized…then everything is okay. However if you want more suds, change your ratio of Castille/oil.
I dont feel clean without it foaming up. I know i am but i dont feel it. Any tips Wellness Mama?
I would just add another Tbsp or so of the castile soap if you want more foaming action.
Thank you so much Kim!!!
Can this be used for intimate parts as well?
Since it has honey in it I’m guessing no. Sugar near the lady bits is a huge Nono.
I am new at this, have never heard sugar around lady parts is harmful. Please explain.
I’m not an expert by any means, but supposedly sugar can cause yeast infections. I know a peak of sugar in your diet can cause them, so contact on the outside probably can too. I think you’ll be fine as long as you rinse well & dry very well after bathing. I think it’s the moisture + sugar combo that really causes a problem.
I haven’t personally tried this recipe. I’m new to DIY products, but can’t wait to get started! Thanks for all the research and experimenting you have done for us, Katie. It is so helpful.
Re: sugar in honey. I’ve been using this specifically for ‘down under’ and have had absolutely NO problems. As I understand it, sugar taken internally creates the problems and external honey is beneficial – in fact it’s being used more and more to heal ulcers and so forth. I had added coconut oil to this recipe, which was over drying and so use less of that and more olive oil. Since the oils do not affect the clensing, I make it quite oily so I don’t need to moisturise so much… HOWEVER, this wash wasn’t day-long effect for ‘pits’ and so I use the Rhassoul clay I use on my hair for them. Later deodorising with a spritz of half ACV/half water which dries without smell and is the best deodorant I’ve ever used. Having made Wellness Mama’s magnesium oi recipe for deodorant, I now spritz it elsewhere for the health benefits, which include improved sleep…
Fab site – has let to many experiments and much simplification…
xxx
If you are prone to yeast infections, avoid sugar near genetalia at all costs.
Honey is antiseptic, so outside the body, I don’t think it will cause a problem.
Being a nurse I can say that sugar should be avoided. It can cause yeast infections if not completely rinsed out. If in doubt, ask your OB/GYN. Besides, sugar or salt can be a major irritant to that area.
To avoid yeast infection, blow dry your ‘nether’ regions with your dryer in the Cold Shot setting for a few seconds after bathing/showering. Make sure the blow dryer is at least 6 inches away from any part of your skin down there. I have been doing this for years and never had a yeast infection since, and I’m diabetic which made me prone to it years ago. Even gynecologists recommend it.
DO NOT DOUSE! IF you have to, use plain water. When you douse you wash away the “good” bacteria that keeps out the bad!!!!! I am 61 and have not had a yeast infection since I was 25. That’s a good record, don’t you think? Take care with your hygiene and you should be fine.
I’ve also heard that microwaving your undies is a good way for those who suffer from chronic infections to rid unwanted organisms
Honey is actually fine for our lady parts. It used to be used after vaginal surgeries because bacteria doesn’t grow in it.
Ladies, I would strongly recommend you never use soap of any kind on your vagina. The vagina is self cleaning. I know, I know, I was horrified when I first thought of not cleaning “down there”. But after years of vaginal infections that would not clear up no matter what I did, I confided in a close friend and she told me to stop using anything and clean that area with a wash rag and water only. I did, and immediately my infection cleared up and it has never come back. I talked to my homeopathic doctor about this and he confirmed that you should never use anything but water when cleaning the vagina.
Sex,soap, and even a lady’s period can throw off your Ph balance…..can throw it off each of us are different, ever try to have your hair colored or permed while on your period just to find out it did take the perm or hold the color? It’s because your Ph balance is all off. So Yes in some women it can cause infections.
Great example of my company’s cloths with just water, lifting and removing bacteria! no soap required!
Does it matter if it’s plain or scented Castille soap? I have the rose scented castille liquid soap.
That will work too
I don’t get really any smell from the essential oils after I rinse I added 30 drops the third batch and still nothing. Do your scents linger after the shower? I actually added dried lavender into my soap, and let it set for a day.
For most recipes like this, I suggest using between 50 and 60 drops of EO to give it a good scent. Hope that helps!
I make my soap daily with a tsp each of milk, gram flour/(chikpea flour), any oil and a pinch of turmeric while showering.
for my husband and daughter I make follow Katie
Why do you use turmeric for cleaning? Have you found any reactions?
While I love using almond oil and rosemary oil to make this honey body wash, I wish it were a ittle close to a gel consistency. Have you come up with any ways to stabalize this? Thanks. Oh and congrats on the new little one!
Have you ever tried a nice organic aloe gel?
in addition to aloe, I am planning on using a bit of coconut oil along with a little sweet almond oil so the coconut oil should also create a thicker consistency. I think a lavender mint is just beautiful and should help the kiddies relax before bedtime.
Try adding 99% aloe vera gel and xanthan gum together to help thicken your body wash.
DO NOT USE Dr.Bronners CITRUS CASTILLE SOAP IN THIS RECIPE. I made a small batch with the trial size peppermint liquid castille and loved it. So my daughter and I went to the store and picked up some full size bottles of the liquid castille soap in a few scents. We made an almond one for her with: Almond Castille, Almond Oil and Honey. I tried the Citrus, olive oil and honey; it smelled awful. My husband said maybe try it with coconut oil, still horrible. So in some small bowls I added one drop of the oil and one drop of the citrus, fine. I did one drop of citrus and one drop of honey in another, horrible smell. I don’t know why but the honey and the citrus castille do not combine for a pleasing scent. So in the future I will try out the combos with tiny samples first. I love all the recipes and information I find on this site and just wanted to share my experience with that combo so that it may save someone else that experience. We will use the citrus castille for other purposes.